SIBU: Religious communities have an important role to play in strengthening national unity, as the government is unable to achieve the goal alone, said Minister of National Unity Datuk Seri Aaron Ago Dagang.
He said while government policies and programmes could provide the framework for unity, its substance was built through relationships, trust and shared experiences among Malaysians in their everyday lives.
“This is why the commitment of our religious communities is so important to the nation-building process,” he said when officiating at the opening of the first ever Malaysia Pastoral Convention 2026 (MPC2026) at Kingwood Hotel here, today.
Aaron said religious leaders could play a critical role in shaping values, influencing families and guiding young people.
“You can build bridges where others build walls,” he said.
He called on different religious communities to go beyond dialogue and work together in practical areas such as helping the poor, supporting families, responding to disasters, caring for the environment and guiding young people.
Aaron said Malaysia’s diversity was one of its greatest strengths, describing the country not as a “melting pot” but a “salad bowl”, where every community could retain its identity while contributing to a richer whole.
“We do not need to become the same to be united,” he said, adding that Malaysians could practise different religions, speak different languages and celebrate different traditions while sharing one country and one future.
“Diversity is what we inherit, unity is what we build,” he said.
He also identified prejudice, misinformation and distance between communities as three challenges to national unity.
He said Malaysians sometimes judged people they had never met, allowed stereotypes to influence their views or believed information simply because it confirmed what they already thought.
While social media could bring people closer, he said it could also create suspicion and division.
“The answer is not simply tolerance. We must move from tolerance to understanding, from understanding to respect, from respect to trust, and from trust to cooperation,” he said.
Aaron said the Catholic community had contributed meaningfully to the country development for generations, particularly through education, healthcare, social welfare, charitable work and service to communities in need.
The Kanowit MP said such contributions demonstrated that faith had a role beyond places of worship, as religious conviction could inspire service, compassion, responsibility and concern for the wellbeing of others.
The minister also highlighted the significance of MPC2026, describing it as a landmark gathering of the Catholic community from across Malaysia.
The convention brings together about 850 participants from nine dioceses across Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak.
He said its theme, “Celebrate, Listen, Walk Together”, was relevant not only to the life of the Church but also to Malaysia’s journey as a diverse nation.
He expressed hope that the spirit of the convention would extend beyond the gathering and inspire a deeper sense of responsibility towards the country.
“As we approach Malaysia Day, let us remember that our founding fathers gave us Malaysia, our responsibility is to strengthen it,” he said.
He expressed hope that the convention would contribute towards a stronger Church, a stronger community and a more united Malaysia.
Archdiocese of Kuching Datuk Dr Simon Poh Hoon Seng also spoke.
